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nd beneficial.

With piano lessons, you will learn music theory (including scales, chords, time signatures, key signatures, etc.), exercises to increase dexterity, and how to play the songs YOU want to play. I typically use the Faber curriculum for my piano students, but this may vary depending on each student's needs and interests.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I expect the student to provide a piano or working electric keyboard for us to use during the lesson.

*** Specialties ***
In voice lessons, I specialize in teaching contemporary styles- pop, blues, soul, gospel, etc.

In piano lessons, I have much experience in working with beginners, both children and adults, but will work with students up through the intermediate level.

ialties ***
I specialize in jazz improvisation on piano and guitar.
I also teach recreational guitar and piano for adults, including classical and blues styles.
I coach bass players and drummers in playing stylistically correct grooves for jazz, rock and latin music.

vanced skill levels.
As you or your child's instructor, I will do my very best to cultivate a love and appreciation for music and the arts. I look forward to working with you.
Elisa

*** Lesson Details ***
I believe that each lesson should be enjoyable and bring out a sense of accomplishment in each student. I work with all ages and skill levels. I am skilled at teaching many types of music which include: Classical European Music and its many genres and pop music of all eras. I am also trained in working with people with special needs.
I believe in consistent, regular practice. Each lesson is tailored to fit each student. If you are a beginning student, I will teach you to the basic skills of piano music, such as hand placement, scales, reading music, etc. If you are an intermediate through advanced-skilled student, I will work on enhancing what you already know and work on higher-leveled music. In addition, with all of my students, I would also add to my lessons special goals for yourself that you may have.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I have amassed a collection of music books that would be relevant in teaching students of various skill levels. I expect my students to provide a piano if I will travel to their home.

*** Specialties ***
I was formally trained in the Suzuki Method as a child, however, I am adept at teaching almost any style of music.

ick to genres the students are interested in learning and choose songs based on the student's abilities and levels and work up from there.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano, music stands, music

*** Travel Equipment ***
None. I expect piano students to have a keyboard or piano at home. Voice students will not need any special equipment.

*** Specialties ***
I hold a degree in Jazz Vocal Studies and I also specialize in musical theatre.

Natalie Limonick (formerly general director of the USC Opera Program, director of the UCLA Opera Workshop and Opera Guild of Southern California President), Esther Andreas (Metropolitan Opera), Naomi Farr (New York City Opera), Nina Hinson (San Francisco Opera), Marion Cooper, Dietrich Erbelding, Charles Ross Perlee (conductor, San Francisco Opera and Bremen Opera), and several other respected teachers and coaches.

I have an Emmy® for writing, I'm a former TV Arts & Entertainment news host and producer, NPR radio station affiliate jazz show host, and a former columnist for The Los Angeles Daily News. I'm a working spoken voice-over talent and an active member of SAG-AFTRA and AGMA.

♫♫♫ Read me on the TakeLessons.com Blog! ♫♫♫

http://takelessons.com/blog/playing-piano-by-ear
http://takelessons.com/blog/songs-to-sing-for-technique

gside a song you love or reading through a classical concerto, I’ll help prepare you or your child to tackle a wide variety of styles, without missing out on any of the basics that turn good players into phenomenal musicians. We all know it’s not about being the best. It’s about having fun, and playing music well is definitely fun. Music lessons include:

1. Building a really strong foundation so it's easy to interpret or understand any part, and to play it with the right amount of practice.

2. Learning to sight-read music, so you can play it well as soon as possible.

3. Learning how to improvise (make-up) music, learn music by ear, and to understand and create chords, which lets you play music in different ways.

4. Play different styles from classical to jazz to popular music.

5. Learning how to practice efficiently so you can learn music as fast as possible.

6. Composing our own original music.

Practice makes perfect! Learning an instrument helps build self-confidence and discipline. If your child’s bored, distracted, or just needs a constructive hobby, music is a great place to get them interested in something that will help them feel better about themselves, and the effects will be felt across everything else they do, through better studying habits to a more patient, diligent work ethic.

It’s also relaxing! Stressed about work? Need an escape? Everybody has the power to learn an instrument. Seriously, there’s no such thing as “talent.” Just start lessons and get practicing! It really is that simple, and I’ll guide you through every step of the way.

I have a diverse background teaching students of all ages, from 3-year-olds to retirees alike, customizing what we learn to the individual student. We’ll learn how to read music just as easily as you read words; improvise and compose music of our own; and feel good playing any style: classical, jazz, rock, and all. My experience as a working musician in films, musical theater, and pop music, as well as classical concert music, allows me to appreciate and teach styles that many other instructors overlook, and I know full well that learning an instrument is not about becoming a professional; it’s about being able to connect to others or oneself through music… and also to just have fun! There’s no need to learn music we don’t like! It’s not about stuffing Beethoven into your kids’ ears… we just want to make music, be that Beethoven or Billy Joel.

Learning an instrument is one of those few skills that will genuinely last you your whole life. I don’t want to sugarcoat it: it takes time to learn an instrument. It takes practice, and sometimes it’s frustrating. But the results are well worth it.

Now get out there and make some music! But start by signing up for lessons. I can’t wait to get started!

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“What’s that chord?” “Why does all my music sound the same?” “How do I fix this voicing?” “I just can’t get it out of my head!” …sound familiar? You’ve probably hit a rut. Or maybe you’re just starting out. Either way, you want your music to sound new, exciting, and to come out exactly how you hear it in your head. Yes… you CAN learn to compose music, you CAN learn to be more creative, and you CAN learn to share your sound with the world.

Film music, classical, jazz… whatever your interest, all music comes from the same place, and by learning a handful of basic concepts, you can apply these to whatever style you’re trying to write. Learning to emulate another musician involves knowing what they’re doing. Learning to create a groundbreaking sound requires that you know what’s already been done, and how to achieve it. Step by step, we’ll work our way there.

We’ll learn how to write cool, interesting chord progressions, how to write beautiful melodies, and how to voice chords. We’ll learn how to control the mood of our music, from making it sound relaxed to adding tension wherever we want. Maybe you’re trying to write for an orchestra, or just a small band. By learning the basics, you can then easily break away from what’s been done and come up with something truly new… the goal of any aspiring composer!

ts the same lessons and experiences that have influenced me throughout my journey.

a 1996-03
Prague Philharmonic 1987-89
Russian State Orchestra 1982-87
Moscow Philharmonic 1980-82

Freelance Performance and Festivals:
West Los Angeles 2002-03
Carson City 2002
Peninsula Symphony 2002-03
Coral Spring Symphony 1994-2002
West Palm Beach Symphony 1994-2002
Sun Rise Symphony 1994-2002
Miami Musical Theater 1994-2002
New - York Philharmonic 1990-1994
International Youth Symphony 1987
Russian State Chamber Orchestra 1980-1987

Education: 1987 PHD: Primary Emphasis in Pedagogy/Performance Secondary Emphasis in Theory/Composition
Russian Academy of Music (Gnesin), Moscow, Russia
1982 Bachelor of Music: Emphasis in Acoustic Bass Performance
Gnesin college of Music, Moscow, Russia.

ever, many students come to me simply wanting to accompany themselves singing contemporary songs or pop and jazz standards -- or even learn to compose their own songs! For this approach, I use a tried and true method of fingering techniques and scales, chord patterns and shapes, and ear training. In this case, reading notes is not necessary, and you will quickly progress over only a few months to playing simple arrangements of popular songs of your choice.

Students who come to my house in the Hollywood Hills will find a welcoming, creative home teaching studio and will enjoy a reduced class rate. Traveling to you will be a bit more. Online classes are always an option. I look forward to guiding you - or your child - on a new and exciting musical adventure that will last a lifetime!

See you soon :),
Sara